Research on chemotherapy and its side effects. Covers nerve-injury prevention, gold-nanorod therapy, less-intensive regimens, and combination treatments.
A phase one study of 11 patients with glioblastoma who received injections of an investigational vaccine therapy and an approved chemotherapy showed the combination to be well tolerated while also resulting in unexpectedly significant survival increases. The researchers found that the combination significantly slowed the progression of...
A University of Kansas researcher suggests a possible therapeutic intervention for chemobrain, a cognitive impairment plaguing up to a third of cancer patients following chemotherapy. The study found that KU-32 prevents cognitive decline in rats caused by chemotherapy treatment by inducing the heat shock response.
Mebendazole, a medication used to treat pinworms, shows promise in treating low-grade glioma brain tumors by crossing the blood-brain barrier more effectively than vincristine. The findings suggest a potential new treatment option that could prolong patient lives without severe side effects.
Researchers have developed a method to predict interactions among multiple drugs in combination, bypassing the need for astronomical measurements. The new mathematical model enables scientists to identify optimal blends for chemotherapy cocktails and potentially aid personalized medicine.
Researchers found that common cancer drugs increase blood sugar levels, which can damage healthy cells and make them more vulnerable to chemotherapy. Fasting or glucose reduction reversed this increase in toxicity in mice.
Scientists have discovered a synergistic effect between an anticancer and an antirheumatic drug, improving the former's ability to kill off cancer cells. The combination works by interacting with the cell's DNA, disrupting normal function and causing cell death.
A clinical trial found that brain and lung cancer patients can safely receive high doses of vitamin C, which increases sensitivity to radiation and chemotherapy. The study also showed that altered iron metabolism in cancer cells leads to increased death caused by vitamin C.
A study by UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center found that women diagnosed with cancer during their childbearing years are at a higher risk of delivering preterm and having babies with low birth weight. The study identified potential risks for mothers who are cancer survivors, including a greater risk of cesarean section deliveries.
A Chicagoan has become the first adult patient to be cured of congenital dyserythropoietic anemia with a novel stem cell transplant protocol. The patient, David Levy, underwent the procedure in 2014 and is now free from pain and independent.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center identify two signaling proteins, c-Fos and Dusp1, that make cancer cells resistant to chemotherapy. Blocking these proteins along with chemotherapy eliminates human leukemia in mouse models, suggesting a possible cure for certain types of kinase-driven cancers.
A University of Leicester study found that folinic acid can protect neurons in fruit flies with Parkinson's disease, offering potential hope for people with early-onset forms of the condition. The researchers believe that supplementing folinic acid could be a faster and more effective treatment option than developing new drugs.
A multidrug efflux pump in motion: Researchers have mapped the conformational changes that occur in P-glycoprotein, a protein notorious for pumping chemotherapeutic drugs out of cancer cells. This study sheds light on how P-glycoprotein binds and transports molecules, with potential implications for developing new treatments.
Researchers from Mayo Clinic report that tumor genomic alterations did not differ significantly between chemotherapy-sensitive and -resistant tumors. However, the study identified an uncommon type of aggressive breast cancer with a unique mutation in p53, which was less likely to respond to chemotherapy.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have identified a specific protein implicated in drug resistance, as well as a possible therapeutic tool. By engineering a peptide that blocks the activity of another protein ERK, the team found that it can prevent chemotherapy resistance and tumor growth.
A study found that the drug everolimus protects ovaries from cyclophosphamide, a common chemotherapy used against breast cancer, which depletes egg cells needed to achieve pregnancy. Female mice treated with everolimus and chemotherapy had more than twice as many offspring as those treated with chemotherapy alone.
Scientists have identified a metabolic weakness in triple-negative breast cancer cells that may be exploited to quell their resistance to chemotherapy. Targeting this pathway could lead to increased cancer cell death and improved treatment outcomes.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have discovered a vulnerability in triple-negative breast cancer cells that can be exploited by blocking pyrimidine production. This finding provides a new strategy to combat the disease, which currently has limited treatment options.
A Phase III clinical trial revealed that blinatumomab significantly increased overall survival and remission rates compared to standard chemotherapy in patients with advanced acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The study showed a median survival of 7.7 months for those treated with blinatumomab versus four months for those on chemotherapy.
Researchers developed a new treatment combining chemotherapy and immunotherapy to slow liver tumor growth in mice, with tumors growing 11 times smaller than in control groups. The study suggests that this approach could be translated to benefit patients with hepatocellular cancer, potentially extending and improving their quality of life.
Researchers have shed new light on the molecular pump MRP1, which expels cancer drugs from cells. The pump's unique structure features two-part pocket allowing it to accommodate various substances.
Researchers found that nicotinamide riboside supplementation prevented nerve pain in rats treated with chemotherapy, which could lead to improved outcomes for patients. The supplement increased levels of NAD+, a cell metabolite that protects against nerve damage.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a chain reaction that shields breast cancer stem cells from chemotherapy, making them resistant to treatment. The discovery could lead to the development of drugs that block this pathway, improving chemotherapy effectiveness.
A tool developed at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center can help doctors identify patients at high risk for toxic side effects from chemotherapy. Researchers found that low measures of muscle quality and quantity are linked to serious side effects, including hospitalizations.
Researchers developed nanostraws that can sample a single cell at a time without damaging it, allowing for long-term non-destructive monitoring of cellular processes. This technique could inform cancer treatments and help develop patient-specific organs by understanding how stem cells evolve.
A type of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) has been shown to slow or stop MS disease progression for up to five years in nearly half of patients, with significant benefits seen in younger patients and those with relapsing-remitting MS. However, the treatment carries a small risk of death and is not suitable fo...
An international team of scientists has discovered the critical role of FtsZ filament motion in bacterial cell division, revealing a novel mechanism for building the cell wall. The study provides insights into the process and potential targets for new antibiotics.
A multicenter study found that scalp cooling reduced hair loss in certain breast cancer patients undergoing non-anthracycline adjuvant chemotherapy. The study, published in JAMA, showed that 67% of patients retained half or more of their hair after treatment.
A retrospective analysis of 1,424 patients found that those with an intermediate risk recurrence score (RS) had similar outcomes whether they received chemotherapy or not. The study suggests that less is more for women with early-stage disease, potentially leading to a shift away from aggressive treatment protocols.
Two studies found that scalp cooling devices can significantly reduce hair loss in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. In one study, patients who received scalp cooling had an average of 51% hair preservation compared to 0% in the control group. The other study also showed promising results, with 67% of patients experienc...
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have developed a magnetic drug implant that can deliver precise doses of medication on demand. The device uses a magnet to trigger the release of drugs into surrounding tissue, offering a potential alternative to traditional pill or injection-based treatments.
A new UTSA study has found a potential link between a medication used to prevent infections in cancer patients and the regeneration of sperm from stem cells. Researchers discovered that G-CSF, a drug commonly used to recover from chemotherapy and radiation treatments, can also help restore male fertility.
In a groundbreaking study, 16 patients with severe aplastic anemia were successfully treated using partially matched bone marrow transplants followed by chemotherapy. After stopping immunosuppressive drugs over a year after their transplants, all patients showed no evidence of the disease.
Researchers have discovered a novel combination therapy that successfully treats infections caused by a pernicious form of antibiotic resistance. The treatment regimen, which includes ceftazidime/avibactam and aztreonam, overcomes the resistance caused by metallo-ß-lactamases, a growing global public health problem.
A new mathematical model reveals that metronomic chemotherapy's benefits rely on the normalization of tumor blood vessels, improving drug delivery and immune cell activity. The approach aims to alleviate abnormal tumor blood vessel structure and function, reducing proliferation of stem-like cancer cells.
A new treatment approach uses a single dose of chemotherapy to select patients for chemo-radiation or surgery, resulting in near-80% survival rates. This method tailors treatments to individual tumor biology and patient characteristics, improving quality of life and reducing complications.
A new study found that 84% of patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia or their parents over-reported adherence to a regimen of 6-mercaptopurine, an oral maintenance therapy. Forgetfulness was the primary reason for non-adherence, and parental involvement improved adherence rates.
Researchers at SLU are working on a potential cure for hepatitis B, building on recent advances and partnering with experts in medicinal chemistry. The goal is to develop a new drug that can kill the virus, reducing levels to zero to cure patients.
Researchers have documented epigenetic changes in sperm of men who underwent chemotherapy in their teens, potentially affecting tissue health in subsequent generations. The study suggests that preserving sperm before undergoing chemotherapy may be necessary to mitigate these effects.
Researchers found a naturally occurring hormone, Mullerian Inhibiting Substance (MIS), can halt the development of ovarian follicles, protecting them from chemotherapy-induced damage. This reversible contraceptive method preserves the ovarian reserve and could be applied to modern fertility treatments.
A new immunotherapy, pembrolizumab, has shown significant activity against mucosal melanoma tumors and prolonged survival in patients with bladder cancer. The treatment demonstrated a response rate of 16% and improved overall survival rates compared to chemotherapy.
Younger patients with colon cancer are nearly 2 to 8 times more likely to receive postoperative chemotherapy than older patients, yet no added survival benefit is seen for these patients. The study's findings suggest overtreatment of young and middle-aged adults with colon cancer.
A UK-led clinical trial has successfully prolonged survival for pancreatic cancer patients by at least five years using a combination of chemotherapy drugs. The study found that patients who received this treatment had a 29% five-year survival rate compared to 16% for those on standard treatment.
Inflammation in mice brains and spleens differed depending on when chemotherapy drugs were administered, according to Ohio State University researchers. The study's findings could lead to more effective treatment strategies and reduced side effects for cancer patients.
Researchers found that African-American breast cancer patients who receive chemotherapy prior to surgery exhibit reduced regional and distant tumor recurrence rates. Early-stage patients with African-American ancestry display higher tumor recurrence rates compared to European-Americans.
Researchers have identified multiple targets for Chagas disease chemotherapy, including ergosterol biosynthesis pathway and cruzipain, a key cysteine protease. Novel synthesized anti-T.cruzi compounds with specific single or multi-target assigned have also been described, highlighting potential for effective treatment.
Researchers at the Buck Institute found that chemotherapy induces widespread cellular senescence, contributing to persistent inflammation and cancer recurrence. Eliminating senescent cells reduced side effects, including fatigue, bone marrow suppression, and toxicity, in mice treated with common chemotherapy drugs.
Scientists found that models with only two variables work best in combining drugs, reducing the risk of overfitting. The algorithm can be used to optimize various types of drug combinations, including those with multiple biological molecules.
Researchers from Goethe University Frankfurt discovered a novel biomarker, SAMHD1, that enables accurate prediction of therapy responders and non-responders in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients. This biomarker can guide cytarabine-based chemotherapies to only those patients likely to respond, sparing others from toxic side effects.
A recent study published in JAMA Oncology suggests that chemotherapy can still benefit patients with non-small-cell lung cancer who recover slowly from surgery. The study found that delaying chemotherapy by up to four months did not increase the risk of death and may even lower it compared to earlier treatment.
A new Yale study suggests that delaying chemotherapy after lung cancer surgery can lead to similar outcomes and lower risk of death. The research found that initiation between 57-127 days post-surgery had a similar impact as traditional timing, indicating a potential benefit for patients.
Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill have developed a breakthrough technique that uses light to activate a drug stored in circulating red blood cells. This method could drastically reduce the amount of a drug needed to treat disease and thus side effects.
Researchers found that localized chemotherapy delivered directly to the brain improved survival rates in mice with glioblastoma when combined with immunotherapy. The study suggests that systemic chemotherapy weakens the immune system and may hinder its ability to fight tumors.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that a subgroup of glioblastoma patients with highly vascularized tumors benefited from anti-angiogenic therapies, living an average of one year longer than those without. The study highlights the importance of properly categorizing tumors to personalize treatment.
Researchers developed a blood test to predict ovarian cancer patients' response to chemotherapy using tumour DNA levels. The test identified patients whose tumour DNA count dropped by more than half after one cycle of chemotherapy as those likely to respond well to treatment.
A study found that cancer patients with depression have lower levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), making them less responsive to chemotherapy. Low BDNF levels are associated with reduced treatment tolerance and poorer outcomes.
A routine blood test can predict how long cancer patients in palliative care will survive, researchers report. The Six Adaptable Prognostic models use three laboratory measurements to estimate death within 1-6 months, allowing physicians to re-evaluate prognosis at any time point.
Researchers present first data on rare sarcomas in Asian patients, showing poor overall survival rates. Chemotherapy improves survival in advanced cases, but treatment rates remain low, with physician-related factors possibly at play.
Researchers have identified a new way of blocking cancer cell invasion using calcium channel blockers, which can stop breast and pancreatic cancer from spreading. The team discovered that these drugs target the sticky finger-like structures on cancer cells, rendering them inactive.
A new study from Lund University found that women with a high expression of the ER-beta estrogen receptor in their tumours had better outcomes after undergoing chemotherapy. The research could lead to more frequent check-ups and additional treatment for high-risk patients.
Researchers have developed a lab device that enables early assessment of drug effects against cancer tumors, speeding up the adoption of therapeutically effective treatments. The microfluidic system allows for real-time monitoring of cell responses to drugs in a more accurate 3D model than traditional 2D cells.